The Wildcat House is located at 1801 N. Stone Ave in Tucson, between Grant Rd. and Speedway Blvd. With multiple fully-stocked bars, several pool tables, excellent burgers, and a sizable dance-floor, the Wildcat House is a favorite among the college crowd and young, local professionals alike. Ingredients in their recipe for success include reasonable cover charges, casual dress codes, strong drinks, loud music, and an open design.
Visit the club on a typical Friday or Saturday night, and expect to stand in line. The club’s website bills Friday night fare as “Arizona’s Longest Running Alternative Dance Party”, and regulars and first-timers alike can expect to wait anywhere from 10-40 minutes to get in on the revelry. The website provides cover charge details, ranging from $3 for ladies arriving early in the evening (up until 9pm), to $6 for both sexes after 10 p.m. Domestic drafts are $2 all night, and Imports are a only dollar more.
Saturday nights are alive with Tejano dance beats, sponsored by local station, Radio Tejano KXEW (1600 AM). The drink specials on Tejano night include Long Island Iced Tea’s from $1.00-$4.00, depending on the time.
Happy hours vary depending on seasonal events put on by the club. The site currently boasts a Beach Party Happy Hour from 4-8pm on Fridays. Nachos, quesadillas, and select beers are available at a deep discount, and you’ll be early enough to manage a conversation with the person you’re with.
Once the club is jumping, around 10 or so, it can be hard to hear anything other than the bass, and the excitement of the crowd. On a good night, the dance floor is crowded, but with enough room to move. On a slow night, with a thinner floor, you may feel a bit conspicuous out there, but remember: it often takes the first half of the crowd to get the second half moving, so don’t hold back! You may spy one or two people display some show-stopping, crowd-pleasing moves, but the majority of revelers just want to have fun, and won’t care if you can’t shake it like Beyonce, because they can’t, either.
The Wildcat House has two dance cages on either side of the main entrance to the floor, towards the front of the club. Liberated patrons often amuse and inspire the crowd with their daring moves; occasionally the Cat House provides cage-dancers to entertain party-goers. When these performers are dancing, it seems to create a surge in the whole club. During special events, like the Halloween Costume Contest or New Year’s celebrations, the club is full of even more energy than usual. People seem to really get into the spirit, and spirits, of the evening at the Cat House, and that is the reason this establishment has so many regulars.
The bathrooms are poorly maintained, and the ladies often have quite a wait. The crowd can get a bit rough at times, though common sense should help you avoid any trouble. The food, while good, is a bit over-priced (unless you visit during Happy Hours). But overall, and the bottom line being, The Cat House has people coming back each weekend to have a drink with their friends, be entertained by the crowd, and let loose after a week spent being responsible at work.
In this economy, and with good times at a premium, you can still party at The Wildcat House without breaking the bank. And with so many taxis available just for the asking, you can do it safely, too. And you’d better; police patrol the parking lot after last call, and throughout the night, to ensure everyone’s safety. Club security is no joke either; while in line and inside the club, don’t irritate the bouncers, make a scene, or get too sloppy: you will get thrown out.
If you like clubs that forgo the serious dress codes, ridiculous cover charges, and pretentious crowds, and you enjoy your drinks and dancing in a casual atmosphere, check out The Wildcat House this weekend to see what’s going on. I doubt you’ll be disappointed.
